Spring group



VD. M. LIGHT Dec. 4, f1 945.

SPRING GROUP Filed No'v. 21, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 D. MQ LIGHT SPRING GROUP Dec. 4, 1945,

Fired Nov. 21, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 wr .j [6M/WL, w iw .2f 0 7 /M a@ M, A@ J Patented Dec. 4, 1945 SPRING GROUP David M. Light, Chicago, Ill., assignor toArnerican Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation-of New Jersey Application VNovember 21, 1941, Serial No. 419,884

29 Claims.

My invention relates to spring groups as usually utilized in railway car trucks and more particularly to such a structure wherein a plurality of coil springs may be utilized in conjunction with a snubbing means or .friction absorbing device, such a combination sometimes being designated a ride control group.

The general object of my invention is to devise such a spring group capable of convenient assembling or dismantling and suitable for ready adaption to various loading devices, while at the same time meeting the normal requirements of the manufacturing practice.

A specic object of my invention is to devise such a structure as that described wherein a housing comprising friction surfaces may enclose a pair of followers and a plurality of friction shoes each in engagement with an associated friction surface and both of said followers, the lower of said followers being seated on an auxiliary spring supported within said housing.

A further object of my invention is to design a novel housing comprising a box-like structure with a pair of opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof and positioning means centrally thereof for an associated coil spring Still another object of my invention is to provide a novel bottom follower comprising a seat centrally thereof for an associated coil spring and a pair of oppositely directed diagonal friction surfaces at each end thereof.

My invention comprises a novel top follower with a pair of oppositely directed diagonal friction surfaces at each end thereof and means positioning said top follower with respect to an associated bottom follower as well as means cooperating with an associated housing to retain said housing and said top follower in normal assembled relationship.

Still another object of my invention is to devise a ride control group comprising a top follower supported by and having diagonal frictional engagement with a plurality of friction shoes which are in turn supported by and in diagonal friction engagement with a bottom follower, each of said shoes being in frictional engagement with an associated housing.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a spring group embodying my invention, only one-half thereof being shown inasmuch as the structure is similar at opposite ends thereof.

Figure 2 is a view of the structure shown in Figure 1, the left half thereof being a view in elevation taken from the bottom as seen in Figure 1 and the right half thereof aosectional view in the vertical plane indicated by the line 2 2 0f Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 3A are further sectional views of the structure shown in Figures 1 and 2, taken respectively in the vertical planes indicated by the lines 3 3 and 3A3A of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 show in reduced size my novel housing, Figure 4 being a top plan view thereof, and Figure 5 a side elevation.

Figures 6, '7, and 8 illustrate in reduced size my novel form of bottom follower, Figure 6 being a top plan view thereof, Figure 7 a side elevation, and Figure Ban end view` Figures 9, l0, and 11 show in reduced size my novel form of top follower, Figure 9 being a top plan view thereof, Figure 10 a side elevation, and Figure 1l an end View.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate in reduced size one of the identical friction shoes utilized in my novel device, Figure 12 being a plan view from the inner face thereof, and Figurel 13 being a side elevation taken from the left as seen in-Figure 12.

My novel spring group may comprise a top spring plate 2 and a bottom spring vplate 4, the end portions of each of which may have a scalloplike contour in order to conform to the coil springs confined therebetween and diagrammatically indicated at 6, 6. Each of said plates may have anges inturned as at 8, 8, said flanges being discontinuous as at 9, 9 in order to facilitate drainage or permit escape of any included extraneous matter. Each of the plates 2 and 4 may have formed thereon a plurality of outwardly projecting lugs l0, lIll which may conveniently serve as positioning means therefor with respect to the supporting and supported frame members lbetween which the group may normally be posil tioned, and the bottom plate may have a plurality of openings l2, l2 therethrough for the reception of securing means on said vsupporting 4frame member. It may be noted that the bottom plate 4 is diagonally formed at the sides thereof as at I4, I4 for a purpose hereinafter described.

Centrally of the group and between the coils at opposite ends thereof Amay be positioned my novel form of friction device comprising the housing I6, the bottom follower I8, the top follower 20, and the spring 22 (diagrammatically indicated).

The housing I6, shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5, comprises the bottom wall 24 cored away as at 26, 26 to permit removal therefrom of extraneous matter, the end walls 28, 28 with openings 30, 30 therethrough for 'the reception of rivets v32, 32, said rivets serving la purpose hereinafter `transverse web 58, and the Vertical fully described, and the side walls 34, 34 comprising friction surfaces 36, 36 oppositely spaced at each end of said housing and relieved as at 38, 38, each of said side walls comprising an arcuate portion 40 centrally thereof (as best seen in Figure 4) affording positioning means for the spring 22 and cored away as at 42, 42 to permit inspection of said spring.

The bottom wall 24 comprises a diagonal portion 25 at each end thereof seated upon the associated diagonal portion I4 of the bottom spring plate and serving to position the housing with respect to said plate.

The spring 22 is seated as at 44 on the bottom wall 24 of the housing I6 and is positioned by the arcuate portions 40, 48 of the side walls 34, 34 as above described, said spring being afforded a seat at the upper end thereof as at 46 on the top wall of the bottom follower in a manner hereinafter more fully described.

The bottom follower I8 is received within the housing I6 and comprises the arcuately formed top wall 48a1fording a seat as at 46 for the upper end of the spring `22, side walls 50, 58 arcuately formed in order conveniently to conform to the shape of said spring, and the end walls 52, 52. At each end o f said bottom follower I8 and integrally formed with the associated end wall 52 is a p air of diagonal webs presenting diagonal friction surfaces 54, 54 and reinforced by triangular vertical webs 56, 56, the horizontal transverse web 60, said diagonal walls being extended as at 62, 62 to define with the vertical transverse web 60 a slot 64' serving a purpose hereinafter described. The side walls 50, 50 are arcuately relieved as at l, 5l in order to lighten said top follower and in order to permit inspection of the spring 22 through the opening 42 in the side wall of' the housing I6.

A friction shoe 66 is positioned between each friction surface 54 on the bottom follower and the associated surface 36 on the housing in frictional engagement as at 68 with the surface 36 on the housing and in diagonal frictional engagement as at 10 (Figure 3) with the surface 54 on the bottom follower. My novel friction shoe is illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 wherein the form thereof may be clearly seen.

Supported on each friction shoe 66 and in frictional engagement therewith as at 12 (Figure 3) is the top follower 2U, said top follower comprising the top wall 16 arcuately formed centrally thereof as may be best seen in the plan View of Figure 9, and. the end walls 80, 80 received as at 8l, 8| (Figure 2) in the slots 64, 64 in the bottom follower and thus positioning said top follower with respect to said bottom follower. Each end wall 88 comprises a recess 82 therein for accom,

modation of the end of the rivet 32 secured to the housing I6, said rivet abutting the bottom of said recess as at 84 when the device is in released position and thus retaining the top follower and the housing in normal assembled relationship. At each end of the top follower 20 and at opposite sides thereof are formed Vertical side walls 86, 86 merging at the bottom thereof with diagonal friction walls 88, 88 in complementary engagement with the associated friction shoes as at 12, 12 as heretofore described. The vertical walls 86, 86 and the friction Walls 88, 88 are reinforced by the vertical Webs 90, 80. It may be noted that the Vtop wall 16 of said top follower abuts the top spring plate as at 92, thereby enabling actuation of the ride control device by the associated frame member (not shown) seated on said top spring plate.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiment of the device shown which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation as various and other` forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a composite spring group, top and bottom spring plates, a plurality of coil springs confined therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housing seated on said bottom plate and having opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, a pair of followers positioned in said housing, each comprising oppositely directed diagonal friction surfaces at each end thereof, resilient means between said housing and one of said followers, friction shoes in frictional engagement with respective surfaces, and means on the other of said followers cooperating with means on said housing to retain the device in normal assembled relationship.

2. In a composite spring group, top and bottoni spring plates, a plurality of coil springs confined therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housing seated on said bottom plate and having opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, top and bottom followers received within said housing, each comprising wedge surfaces at each end thereof, friction shoes in engagement with respective surfaces, means on each end of said top follower projecting between the adjacent wedge surfaces on said bottom follower and p0- sitioning said followers with respect to each other, and resilient means supporting said bottom follower.

3. In a composite spring group, top and bottom spring plates, a plurality of coil springs confined therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housingseated on said bottom plate, top and bottom followers within said housing, said housing comprising substantially vertical friction surfaces and said followers comprising diagonal friction surfaces, friction shoes each having frictional engagement with a surface on said housing and a surface on each of said followers, and an auxiliary spring supported within said housing and bearing against a spring seat on said bottom follower, said shoes being entirely disposed beneath the level of said spring seat.

4. In a. composite spring group, top and bottom spring plates, a plurality of coil springs confined therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housing seated on said bottom plate and having opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, top and bottom followers received within said housing and comprising surfaces at each end thereof angularly disposed with respect to said friction surfaces, a pair of friction shoes at each end of the'device in engagement with respective surfaces, and resilient means between said housing and said bottom follower.

5. In a composite spring group, top and bottom spring plates, a plurality of coil springs confined therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housing seated on said bottom plate and having opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, top and bottom followers received within said housing, each comprising oppositely directed diagonal friction faces at each end thereof, friction shoes in frictional engagement with respective surfaces and respective faces, and spaced means on opposite ends of said top follower projecting between the adjacent friction faces on 'said bottom follower and positioning said followers with respect to each other.

6. In a composite spring group, top and bottom spring plates, a plurality of coil springs confined therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housing seated on said bottom plate and having opposed friction surfaces at eachend thereof, a pair of followers positioned within said housing, each comprising oppositely directed diagonal friction surfaces at each end thereof, friction shoes having frictional engagement with respective friction surfaces, and resilient means fseated at opposite ends thereof against said housing and one of said followers, said shoes being entirely disposed beneath the plane of abutment between said resilient means and said last-mentioned follower.

'L'In a composite spring group, top and bottom spring plates, a plurality of coil springs confined therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housing seated on said bottom plate and having opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, two followers positioned in said housing, each comprising surfaces at each end thereof angularly disposed with respect to said friction surfaces, resilient means between one of said followers and said housing, and friction shoes, each of said shoes having engagement with a plurality of said surfaces.

8. In a composite spring group, top and bottom spring plates, a, plurality of coil springs conned therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housing seated on said bottom plate and having opposite spaced friction surfaces, top and bottom followers received within said housing each comprising a, diagonal surface, friction shoes each having frictional engagement with a surface on said housing and a surface on each of said followers, and resilient means seated at opposite ends against said housing and said bottom follower, said shoes being spaced laterally of said resilient means and disposed intermediate the top and bottom levels thereof.

9. In a composite spring group, top and bottom spring plates, a plurality of coil springs confined therebetween, and a friction absorbing device comprising a housing seated on said bottom plate and having spaced vertical friction surfaces, top and bottom followers received within said housing each comprising a diagonal surface adjacent each vertical surface, friction shoes in engagement with said vertical and diagonal surfaces, resilient means seated at opposite ends against spring seats on said bottom follower and said housing respectively, and spaced abutment means on opposite ends of one of said followers slidably interengaged with the other of said followers for positioning said followers with respect to each other.

10. In a friction absorbing device, a housing comprising friction surfaces, resilient means seated on one end thereof within said housing, a bottom follower seated on the opposite end of said resilient means and comprising surfaces, wedge shoes in frictional engagement with respective surfaces, said shoes being spaced laterally of said resilient means and disposed intermediate the top and bottom levels thereof, and a top follower seated on said shoes and in wedge engagement therewith.

11. In a friction absorbing device, a housing comprising opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, resilient means seated within said housing intermediate said ends, a bottom follower seated on said resilient means and comprising surfaces at V.each .end thereof angularly disposed with respect to said friction surfaces, friction shoes vin frictional engagement with respective surfaces, and a top follower seated on said shoes and in frictional engagement therewith.

12.7In a friction absorbing device, a housing comprising oppositely spaced friction surfaces, resilient means seated within said housing, a bottom follower seated on said resilient means and comprising wedge surfaces, friction shoes in frictional engagement with respective surfaces, and a top follower seated on said shoes and in wedge engagement therewith, said shoesbeing spaced laterally of said resilient means and being disposed intermediate the upper and lower levels thereof. n 13. In a friction absorbing device, a housing comprising friction surfaces, resilient means supported within said housing, a bottom follower having a spring seat bearing against said resilient means, said bottom follower comprising diagonal surfaces, friction shoes in frictional engagement with respective surfaces, and a top follower having diagonal faces abutting complementary faces on said shoes, the faces on said top follower being disposed beneath the level of the spring seat on the bottom follower.

14. In a friction Yabsorbing device, a housing comprising spaced friction surfaces at each end thereof, friction shoes in frictional engagement with said surfaces, two followers, each in diag-- onal frictional engagement with each shoe, and resilient means between said housing and one of said followers, said resilient means being disposed intermediate the ends of said housing.

15. In a friction absorbing device, a housing comprising opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, friction shoes in frictional engagement with said surfaces, a pair of followers, each in operative engagement with each' shoe for urging the same into engagement with said surfaces, resilient means between said housing and one of said followers, and interengaging means on said followers.

16. In a friction absorbing device, a housing comprising spaced internal friction surfaces, top and bottom follower elements within said housing and presenting opposed wedge faces adjacent each friction surface, a friction shoe engaging each surface and the adjacent wedge face on each element, said element being in vertical overlapping relationship with respect to each other, resilient means bearing against said housing and the bottom element, and spaced abutment means on opposite ends of said top follower element projecting within vertical slots in said bottom follower element and positioning said followers with respect to each other.

17. In a friction absorbing device, a housing comprising an internal friction surface, top and bottom follower elements within said housing and presenting opposed wedge faces, a friction shoe engaging said surface and a wedge face on each element, and resilient means bearing against seats on said housing and the bottom element, said shoe being entirely disposed beneath the level of the spring seat on said bottom element.

18. A housing for a friction absorbing device comprising a substantially horizontal wall affording a seat upon an associated spring plate and side walls comprising opposite spaced friction surfaces at each end thereof and spring positioning means centrally thereof.

19. In a friction absorbing device, a housing having oppositely spaced friction surfaces at each end thereof, resilient means supported from said housing intermediate the ends thereof, friction shoes at each end of the device in frictional engagement with respective surfaces, and spaced followers within said housing, each of said followers being operatively engaged with all of said f shoes for urging the same into engagement with said surfaces and one of said followers being engaged with said resilient means.

20. In a friction absorbing device, a rigid housing having opposed friction surfaces, friction shoes engaged with respective surfaces, spaced followers within said housing, each being operatively engaged with all of said shoes for urging the same into engagement with said surfaces, resilient means seated at opposite ends thereof against said housing and one of said followers, and abutment means on opposite ends of one of said followers slidably received within the other of said followers and positioning said followers with respect to each other.

21. In a follower for a friction absorbing device, a member having a central spring housing and projections on opposite ends thereof, each of said projections being formed with oppositely spaced wedge surfaces.

22. In a follower for a friction absorbing device, a member having a central spring housing and projections on opposite ends thereof, each of said projections being formed with opposite spaced wedge surfaces, and means on the end of each projection for the reception of positioning means on an associated follower.

23. In a follower for a friction absorbing device, a member having a substantially horizontal wall affording a, spring seat intermediate the ends of said member, end walls angularly disposed with respect to said horizontal Wall, said end walls being vertically slotted for slidable reception of abutment means on an associated follower, and spaced external friction faces at opposite sides of said member adjacent each end of said member.

24. In a follower for a friction absorbing device, a, member having a substantially horizontal wall affording a spring seat intermediate the ends of said member, spaced end walls merging with said horizontal wall, and a pair of webs integral with each end wall and presenting respectively opposite spaced exterior friction faces at each end of said member, said webs being vertically' spaced from said horizontal wall.

25. In a follower for a friction absorbing de vice, a member having a substantially horizontal wall affording a spring seat intermediate the ends of said member, spaced substantially vertical end walls merging with said horizontal wall, diagonal Webs on each end wall presenting opposite spaced external friction faces at each end of said member, and extensions on said webs defining slots for the reception of positioning means on an associated member. 26. In a follower for a friction absorbing device, a substantially horizontal wall and end walls angularly disposed with respect thereto, and spaced wedge surfaces at opposite sides of said member adjacent each end thereof, said end walls being vertically slotted for slidable reception of abutment means on an associated member.

27. In a follower for a friction absorbing device, a substantially horizontal wall and end walls angularly disposed with respect thereto, and spaced wedge surfaces at opposite sides of said member adjacent each end thereof, each end wall being provided with a narrowed substantially coplanar projection for reception within positioning means on an associated member.

28. In a, friction absorbing device, a housing comprising opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, friction shoes in frictional engagement with respective of said surfaces, two followers, means on said followers at each end thereof in engagement with said shoes for urging said shoes into engagement with said surfaces, resilient means between said housing and one of said followers, said resilient means being disposed intermediate the ends of said housing.

29. In a friction absorbing device, a housing having opposed friction surfaces at each end thereof, friction shoes at each end of the device in frictional engagement with respective surfaces, top and bottom followers received within said housing, resilient means supported from said housing intermediate the ends thereof in engagement with said bottom follower, and means on each follower at each end thereof in engagement with said shoes for urging the shoes into engagement with said surfaces.

DAVID M. LIGHT.-Y 

